Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-12-08-WS ~ ~~HILLS Approved: May 27,2008 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MEETING May 12, 2008; 5:00 PM ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Stan Harpstead called to order the City Council Worksession meeting at 5:08 p.m. Present: Mayor Stan Harpstead; Councilmembers David Grant, Fran Holmes, David McClung and Brenda Holden (arrived 5:45 p.m.). Absent: None. Also present: Interim City Administrator Jim Willis; Assistant City Administrator Noah Simon; Public Works Director Gregory Hoag; Civil Engineer Kristine Giga; Stacie K vilvang, Ehlers & Associates; Allan Gebhard and Sara Gaffin, Barr Engineering. Council reversed the order of the two agenda items. 10 AGENDA ITEMS A. TCAAP - Review of Pre-Demolition Asbestos/Hazardous Materials Survey and Cost Estimate Civil Engineer Giga presented the City Council with a review of the results of an asbestos and hazardous materials survey from the developer for all the buildings on the TCAAP property. She noted Barr Engineering was retained to assist the City with understanding any environmental concerns on the property. Stacie K vilvang, Ehlers & Associates, noted there was a confidentiality agreement between the Army/GSA and RRLD for the proposed demolition. She indicated data has been reviewed by Barr Engineering after signing a confidentiality agreement with the developer and noted Barr was also asked to review the cost estimate for the proposed work could not be provided at this time. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MAY 12, 2008 2 Ms. K vilvang suggested holding a closed session with Council to discuss the cost estimate in depth as this would affect the direct purchase price of the property. She noted a conference call could be held with Mike Comodeca. Discussion ensued regarding the materials survey and cost estimate procedures going forward with the Army/GSA. Councilmember McClung asked why this was being discussed when the costs/details were still unknown. Mayor Harpstead indicated the survey would not affect the $45 million purchase price, but the details of how much this would off set the purchase price were still uncertain. Ms. Kvilvang agreed stating this was not public data but could be released to the Army/GSA to keep things moving in a timely fashion. She indicated that Barr's opinion on the survey and cost estimate provided a level of comfort with the numbers to the Council before moving forward and releasing the information to the Army/GSA. Mr. Gebhard, Barr Engineering, stated he has been involved with numerous Superfund sites in Minnesota. He has been involved with the company for 41 years and has been involved with TCAAP issues since 1981 after the public ground water supply for the City of New Brighton was impacted by the offsite TCAAP plume. Mr. Gebhard indicated BaIT partnered with a subcontractor for the asbestos work, a company called Applied Environmental Sciences. He explained that the developer's surveys were completed by properly trained personnel and that both companies have a great reputation and are certified for this type of work in the State of Minnesota. Mr~ Gebhard stated the results from the surveys were used by a certified asbestos/hazardous material contractor in Minnesota called Mavo Associates to prepare an abatement cost estimate. He explained how the cost estimate contains some contingencies for the abatement based on what was seen at the site. Mayor Harpstead asked if soil samples were taken at this site, or if underground tanks and buried pipes w'ere addressed. Mr. Gebhard indicated samples were only taken from the buildings and building pads above ground.. Mayor Harpstead questioned if there were any unusual findings at the site and how the disposal costs were quantified. Sara Gaffin, Barr Engineering, explained the consultant's process when surveying a site proposed for demolition. She noted a team of certified inspectors walks into a building and visually inspects every surface. Ms. Gaffin indicated samples are taken and analysis performed to see ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MAY 12, 2008 3 which areas need to be abated before the site can be demolished. She indicated the survey then lists where items can be disposed of and the levels of their contamination. Ms. Gaffin explained that this industry is regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the EP A with each agency having rules and regulations that govern the procedures of the surveying process. Councilmember Holden questioned how the decision was made to abate certain contaminants and dispose of others. Mr~ Gebhard explained that this is why the developer was working with State certified professionals. He indicated samples were tested and during the demolition trained certified abatement teams will be onsite to handle any areas of concern. Ms. Gaffin added that the professionals used to complete the surveys were all State certified contractors with the appropriate training to decipher between the different levels of contamination. Mayor Harpstead indicated concern with this process for the future residents/businesses that will reside on this property. He asked what contaminants were present on the property and how they might affect the design of the master development plan and the well being of the residents. Mr. Gebhard indicated the asbestos abatement would rid the building and building pads of contamination identified in the surveys prior to future development of the master plan. He didn't see these contaminants as impeding the development. Mr. Gebhard explained that the contamination just needed to be abated properly and in a safe manner so as not to create further problems. Councilmember Holden asked what the procedure would be if contaminants were discovered below the slabs. She questioned if this is outside the scope of this survey. Ms. Gaffin explained there was a contingency for unforeseen asbestos in the buildings that were being demolished. She indicated that asbestos found at other places on the property (within the soil) was not a part of this assessment. Mr. Gebhard indicated that the concrete block walls were sampled along with the slab floors but it was not feasible to sample all of the voids inside these features. He stated surprises in this area were accounted for by contingencies. Ms. Gaffin noted there would be additional phases of investigation where soil borings would be taken. She indicated this survey was focused on the existing buildings and what would need to be done to safely demolish and remove them from the site. Mayor Harpstead questioned how many buried pipes were known about at this site and asked when these issues would be addressed. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MAY ]2, 2008 4 Gen McJilton, RRLD, indicated there were underground asbestos wrapped pipes leading [rom the old boiler plant to several different buildings. She stated some have been investigated. Ms. McJilton indicated these pipes were part of the original survey that was done but it was agreed they were a separate entity and not included in the cost estimate. Councilmember Holden questioned how the contingency figure was established and if it was set up with an insurance policy. Mr. Gebhard stated this was a dollar amount and has been set conservatively to take care of the unforeseens found on the site. Ms. McJilton added that this was a standard requirement in all abatement contracts and was not a figure that could be insured. Mayor Harpstead questioned when the soil borings would be added to this survey. Ms. Kvilvang indicated the end of July was a target date to release the remedial investigation report to the MPCA. She noted that the City, RRLD and the Army/GSA would work together on a public relations aspect before this data was released and made public. B. TCAAP - Proiect Work Schedule Stacie K vilvang, Ehlers & Associates, presented the City Council with information from a past meeting where discussion was held regarding upcoming TCAAP issues. She presented the Council with timeline copies and the coordinating governmental tables needed to gain the correct approval in order for these issues to move forward. Ms. K vilvang indicated the timelines are a working document currently in draft form with a projected completion being September of 2009. She stated this would provide more flexibility during the decision making process. Mayor Harpstead asked that a revision number be placed on all documents to assure the Council was reviewing the latest version of critical documents for all upcoming meetings. Ms. K vilvang indicated she would have this on future documents. Discussion ensued regarding the projected timeline, critical paths, and major issues that could arise during the approval process. Mayor Harpstead indicated December of 2008 would be a critical time for the Council according to the projected timeline. Ms. K vilvang stated this was the case but noted dates could be pushed out as the Council proceeds with this schedule. Councilmember McClung asked if common items could be linked on the timeline by site, tying them together by site so nothing was missed while moving through the approval process. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - MAY 12, 2008 5 Mayor Harpstead agreed with this recommendation stating this may streamline the approval process and bind items together for approval so as to maintain the critical path. Ms. K vilvang stated this could be done and further explained how the developer's time line may differ slightly from the Council's timeline. This was due to the governmental issues needing approval, but they were matching up month-by-month. Ms. K vilvang directed the Council to a calendar noting all regular Council and Work Session meetings scheduled for 2008 through the summer of 2009. She explained that several extra Work Session meetings may need to be held each month to accomplish the proposed timeline. Mayor Harpstead asked if the Council should set a regular date and time each month for additional discussion, or if this could be discussed on an as needed basis. Discussion ensued regarding a proposed day/time to hold an additional Work Session meeting each month. The Council agreed to check their schedules for the second or third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. along with the fifth Monday of the month, when pertinent. Ms. K vilvang thanked the Council for their flexibility and stated this would help in spreading out the discussions .to allow the Council to make informed decisions throughout this process. She ~dded that. if additional dates were not working into the Council's schedule, a Work Session meeting could be held before Regular Council meetings. Mayor Harpstead agreed with this recommendation stating the first meeting of the month typically had a lighter agenda with fewer planning cases which might allow for TCAAP 1 . . QISCUSSlon. Ms. K vilvang stated she would come back to the Council with revision numbers and the time line for the critical path tying items together so decisions could be made in an efficient manner. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REQUESTS There was nothing at this time. .m. ....,.. Ronald J. Morse City Administrator